Dick Miller of Raleigh NC, retired CEO of Goodmark Foods, died Thursday at Myrtle Beach, SC while on vacation after fighting Parkinson’s disease for several years. While Dick was CEO at Goodmark Foods they were very active in NASCAR with their Slim Jim and Penrose brands. Under his leadership they began sponsoring Bobby Labonte in the Busch Series with the Penrose brand in 1990. Bobby won the 1991 Busch Series Championship with Penrose. In 1992 they brought Slim Jim on as primary sponsor and Bobby finished second to Joe Nemechck, in the closest finish in Busch Series history. When Bobby moved to Cup racing he kept his team going and signed David Green to drive the Slim Jim #44. David then won the 1994 Busch Championship driving for Bobby and Slim Jim. Goodmark Foods also participated in NASCAR programs sponsoring the Penrose Rookie of the Year program and the Slim Jim All Pro Series. Other Slim Jim and Penrose drivers of note included Terry Labonte, Justin Labonte, Jason Keller, Mike Cope and Todd Bodine. Goodmark also made the famous Martinsville hot dogs under their Jesse Jones brand. Dick was cremated and there will be a visitation Saturday evening from 6-9 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on Millbrook Road in Raleigh. A memorial service will be held at 3pm Sunday at Brown-Wynne.(4-21-2007)
